1) I would like to know the whole story. Was the guy a habitual criminal, or was this his first time stealing? NOTE: I AM NOT EXCUSING HIS BEHAVIOR. WHETHER OR NOT IT IS HIS FIRST TIME DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT WHAT HE DID WAS COMPLETELY WRONG. It's still felonious, still awful, still repugnant.

But was this some kind of late-in-life aberration? Did something happen to make him begin to lose his grip? He is 55 years old- isn't it kind of odd to wake up at, say, age 53 or 54 and say "o.k., let's see- how 'bout I steal over 100,000 dollars from a non-profit and risk prison, ruining my life, and permanently destroying the reputation of myself and my entire family for all eternity? Sounds like a plan..."

Again: I am not defending Paul Nogaki. I am simply wondering what the circumstances were behind this whole thing. Had he been doing this kind of stuff for years, everywhere he went- or was this his first foray into felony larceny? It is just so fucking odd...

And, 2) I find it a bit strange that "Judo" is being looked at in a negative light because of both him and the JudoForum, as if the sport itself is at fault. Does Kano's creation somehow lend itself to sanctimonious assholes and latent felons?

Ya, the judo forum dudes get wrapped up in a bunch of crap. The guy stole money from kids and not just lunch money, so if folks don't like him because of it... that ain't the end of the world. Judo should teach you to take your lumps.

As to CK... no **** the guy is an ass. I love the fact that he liked the James Bond, secret identity bullshit, cowardly. I don't give a damn about how "good" or not his judo is, act like an adult.

The place rubs me raw, but then again, I guess it should since I don't relish the exclusive power rtip crap they liked to lay down about "real" judo. Of course maybe in another 25 years on top of my two decades, I will come to understand the true power and deep insights of throwing people down and bending them the wrong way.

Aaron

I wish you would post more often.

I also wish you come back to Austin to teach another seminar. There's a distinct lack of Mongol flavored SOMBO in my life.

I got into one discussion with the guy the gist of which was me trying to convince him that it didn't matter how much experience a person had, how knowledgeable they were, how much they've contributed to the community, there should still be a bare minimum amount of human decency that is required of them, and that rules for civility should at least vaguely be applied the same to everyone. He seemed unmoved by this idea.

"that's just your opinion" also seemed to be a go-to phrase for him. Doesn't matter what facts or logic you have on your side, that's just your opinion.

I don't know the details of what happened, but I was not surprised at all by the accusations, and I could have predicted exactly who was going to come out pro-stealing from children.

I got into one discussion with the guy the gist of which was me trying to convince him that it didn't matter how much experience a person had, how knowledgeable they were, how much they've contributed to the community, there should still be a bare minimum amount of human decency that is required of them, and that rules for civility should at least vaguely be applied the same to everyone. He seemed unmoved by this idea.

"that's just your opinion" also seemed to be a go-to phrase for him. Doesn't matter what facts or logic you have on your side, that's just your opinion.

I don't know the details of what happened, but I was not surprised at all by the accusations, and I could have predicted exactly who was going to come out pro-stealing from children.